I open my eyes to a world that is not my own. The surroundings are unfamiliar, and the body I'm in is not mine. Panic rises within me as I struggle to understand what's happening. My heart races, and my mind fills with questions. What has happened to me? How have I ended up here? Is this some twisted dream?

As I look around, I realize that I am in the slums of an unknown city. The streets are filthy, and the air is filled with the stench of decay. People are moving about their business, trying to eke out a living in this dismal place. I try to get up, but my limbs feel heavy and unresponsive. I stumble, feeling the ache and hunger in my stomach. I am a beggar, and my life is one of misery and poverty.

A small existential crisis washes over me as I realize that my old life is gone. Although it wasn't a good life, it was still my life. I don't want to start over again. My thoughts are interrupted by a group of older boys, who seem to be eyeing me warily. I can tell that they are sizing me up, trying to determine if I'm a threat. I feel a sense of fear, knowing that I am vulnerable in this new body.

I try to stand my ground, hoping that my presence will be enough to deter them. However, my body feels weak and powerless, and I know that I won't be able to fight back if they attack me. Just as I'm about to make a run for it, a group of girls appears on the scene. They're older than the boys and look like they belong to a higher social class.

One of them, a striking young woman with piercing green eyes and golden hair, looks at me with a mixture of pity and disgust. I feel a twinge of shame, knowing that I am nothing more than a beggar in her eyes. But then, something unexpected happens. She speaks to me, her voice soft and gentle. "Are you all right?" she asks, concern etched on her face.

I am taken aback by her kindness. No one has ever spoken to me like this before. I feel a lump form in my throat, as I struggle to find the words to respond. "I'm... I'm fine," I stammer. "Thank you." The young woman smiles, and I can see a glimmer of warmth in her eyes. It's a small gesture, but it gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, I can find my place in this new world.

As she walks away, I watch her retreating figure, feeling a sense of longing and admiration. I don't know who she is, but there's something about her that draws me in. It's like she has a light that shines from within, a radiance that touches everything around her.

I try to stand up, but my legs give out from under me and I fall back to the ground. I wretch and vomit, my stomach heaving violently. What the hell has happened to me? I think as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I'm in the body of a young beggar, living in the slums.

As I try to process what is happening to me, memories flood my mind. Memories of my past life, of my sister, and the day she died. The day my world fell apart. I remember walking into her room and seeing her lifeless body hanging from the ceiling. I remember the overwhelming grief and guilt that consumed me. We had both been abused by our parents, but she couldn't handle it anymore. And I couldn't save her.

Tears stream down my face as I relive that terrible day. I cry for what feels like hours. I can't breathe, can't think, can't do anything. As I cry, a beggar approaches me with a look of pity in her eyes. I don't know this woman, but she seems to know me. She calls me "Brey," I guess that's the name of the original owner of the body I now inhabit.

"Brey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" the woman asks, placing a hand on my shoulder. I don't know what to say. I'm not Brey, but I don't want to upset the woman. Instead, I just shake my head and wipe my tears. The beggar looks at me with concern. "It's okay, Brey. Whatever it is, you can tell me. We're all in this together."

I feel a pang of guilt. These people have mistaken me for someone else, and yet they still show me kindness. I don't deserve it. But as the woman continues to speak, I realize that maybe I do deserve it. Maybe I deserve kindness and compassion just like anyone else. The beggar's words are interrupted by another one of her companions, who approaches us with a small piece of bread. "Here, Brey, eat this. It'll make you feel better," the second beggar says, holding out the bread to me.

I hesitate for a moment, but hunger overcomes me and I take the bread. As I eat, the surrounding beggars continue to offer words of comfort and support. I feel a sense of warmth in my chest, something that I haven't felt in a long time. These people don't know me, but they still care for me. It's a foreign feeling, but a welcome one. As the beggars continue to talk amongst themselves, I listen, realizing that they know more about Brey's life than I do. They speak of his tragic past, of his mother leaving him and his father being killed by bandits. They talk about how he has been forced to live as a beggar ever since.

I feel a lump form in my throat as I listen to their words. Brey's life has been filled with so much pain and suffering. How could he bear it all? But then, as if sensing my distress, one of the beggars turns to me with a smile. "You know, Brey, even though life has been tough for you, you've still managed to survive. You're a survivor, and that's something to be proud of."

I don't know what to say. The words strike a chord within me, and I feel a sense of determination wash over me. Maybe I can be a survivor too. Maybe I can make something of this new life, just like Brey had. As the night wears on, the beggars eventually fall asleep, huddled together for warmth. I am left alone with my thoughts, staring up at the starry sky.

I wake up feeling incredibly weak. No matter how much I think about it, a human body shouldn't be this weak. Every time I walk, my bones cry out in pain. By now all the beggars are gone. Moving in this body is just too painful.

"Ugh, why a beggar of all things? I can barely raise a finger. Why must I suffer like this? I swear to god, couldn't I at least get a bed?" I mutter.

"Hey, look! That kid's gone insane!" A voice shouts.

Turning my head, I see a group of about five drunks approaching me. Just by their looks, you can tell they're totally drunk, and damn, they reek of alcohol.

"Hey, kid, get off your high horse, WaKe Up To ReAlItY BUUUURRRPP!!" One of them hollers.

"Can you step back a bit? Your breath smells like crap." I retort.

"Huh? What did you say to me, you little shit?" He snarls.

"I said your breath smells like crap," I repeat, trying to sound as tough as I could. The drunks laugh, malice evident in their eyes.

"Listen here, you little beggar," one of them slurs. "You don't talk to us like that. We're the ones in charge here."

I can feel my heart beating faster, adrenaline starting to pump. I know that I'm no match for these guys, but I refuse to back down. "I don't care who you are," I say, my voice now shaking slightly. "You're not better than me just because you have money." The drunks close in on me, and I can feel their hot breath on my face.

"We're going to teach you a lesson, kid," one of them says, raising his fist.

I close my eyes, bracing for impact. But the punch never comes. Instead, I feel a sharp pain in the back of my head, and everything goes black. When I come to, I'm lying on the ground, my head throbbing with pain. The drunks are gone, and I'm alone once again. I groan, trying to sit up, but the pain is too much. I feel defeated, like I'm destined to suffer in this body. I lie on the ground looking up at the sky, feeling like I don't belong in this world.

And then I see it.

"Damn it," I mutter. I recognize what that is, but where the hell am I? No, more importantly, why the hell am I here? I've been so exhausted that I haven't paid much attention to my surroundings. I know I'm in someone else's body, but I haven't given much thought to the world I'm in.

Painfully stretching my arms out, I gaze at the sky. It's a griffin, but this was no ordinary griffin. It's the kind of griffin I had described in the novel I wrote as a kid. The griffins in my story weren't typical creatures. They were magical beings with unique features that changed as they grew older. This particular griffin had golden brown fur with a similar shade on its wings, large enough to cover its entire body. Around its head were pure white feathers that ran down its back to its golden fur, adding to its regal appearance.

As I watch it fly across the sky, I'm struck by its beauty. But what makes these creatures even more remarkable is how their features change as they grow older. Young griffins have brown fur and feathers, but as they develop, the color of their feathers and fur changes. The color of the fur depends on their species. The ones with white fur are considered the fastest, while the ones with golden fur have a longer lifespan. The ones with brown fur are the most basic and considered the weakest, while the strongest and rarest are the ones with black fur.

The griffins also have a set row of feathers starting at the top of their head and running down to the tip of their wings. These feathers are larger than normal ones, and the colors of those feathers vary depending on each individual griffin's magic affinity. This makes them even more unique, and their feathers are highly coveted by many.

Only brown griffins have front feet resembling that of a bird, while white, black, and gold Griffins have cat-like bodies with the head and wings being the exception. These features make them agile and able to fly at high speeds, while also giving them the strength to take down prey much larger than themselves.

As I contemplate the Griffin, it suddenly falls. "Tsk," I mutter, "poor guy, they've already killed him." It was most likely in the south district.

"This is my world, the world I wrote in my novel," I murmur. If I'm correct, I'm in the slums of the capital city of "Aurelia".

Griffins aren't normally aggressive; they prefer to live in the mountains. I guess the knights have already stolen all the griffin eggs in the mountain. The kingdom wants to domesticate griffins for air travel, but that plan fails miserably. Griffins aren't meant to be domesticated; they get easily agitated and detest being tied up.

The problem with this world is that air travel can't be created. It was designed this way, and people know this. In the atmosphere, there's an unstable amount of energy, and this energy creates unusual storms and weather patterns. Only griffins, dragons, and other flying creatures are able to detect incoming storms.

That's why humans have been experimenting on creatures like griffins and trying to domesticate them. In the future, there will be an accident where the griffins break out and cause chaos.

Seeing that there aren't any other griffins, this group was already killed off.

As I lie on the ground, still irritated with the fact that I'm stuck in my own novel, I suddenly notice something in front of me. It's a dark blue screen that seems to project out of thin air, with white text on it. The screen just hovers in the air, and no one else seems to notice it except for me. It's like my own private interface.

Curiosity gets the better of me, so I reach out to touch the screen. To my surprise, the text on the screen changes as soon as I touch it. It reads "status window" in bold letters, and as I focus on the words, the screen changes to show me a whole bunch of stats and information about my body.

The "physique" stat immediately catches my eye. Instead of the expected "human physique", mine reads "[Cursed physique]". No wonder I feel so weak and helpless.

As I continue to peruse the status window, I suddenly realize that I can hear a voice in my head. It's not really a voice, more like a projection of text, but it's still clear and concise.

"Welcome to the system," the text reads.

[Connecting to the host, please wait]

I can't believe it. This is like something out of a game. But as I look around and see the harsh reality of the world I'm in, I realize that I'll need all the help I can get.

[Connection Established]

The system doesn't speak to me directly, but it projects text that only I can see. And it's really vague, which makes it frustrating.

I wonder how I can even use this system to my advantage. The text on the screen seems more like an interactive guide, and I can't really interact with it the way I would with a game controller.

That's when I notice the "tasks and missions" window. This is something I'm more familiar with, and it gives me a sense of purpose. The system will give me tasks and missions to complete, and I can earn points based on the difficulty of the task. These points can be used to buy affinities to magic or swordsmanship, as well as skills.

But the tasks and missions aren't just handed out; I'll need to progress the main story of the novel to unlock more of them. It seems like it wants me to stay engaged with the main story.

As I continue to explore the system, I can't help but feel annoyed with the text projections. The system has a personality, and it teases me at every turn.

[You're seriously still a beggar, Lmao ꉂ (´∀｀)ʱªʱªʱª] the text reads, and I feel my blood boil.

"What the hell is this?" I shout at the system, and it responds with more teasing.

[You're pretty feisty, huh? I like that. Maybe I'll give you a mission to go slap a knight in the face for 100 points ಥﭛಥ]

I can't deny that it's a helpful tool, and it might just be the key to getting stronger in this chaotic world. Seriously though, why the hell does it respond back like this?

The system has many interesting features I wouldn't have expected. After playing around with it a bit, I find out why I feel so weak. The [cursed physique] is all to blame.

[Cursed physique]-[Curse-★★★★★☆]-[Limits skill slot capacity to 4]-[Weak bones, Weakens all bones by 35%]-[increase energy waste by 80%]-[increases damage taken by mental attacks by 75%]

Why the hell did I get a cursed physique? No, how the hell did Brey get a cursed physique? You cannot be born with a curse, because curses are not natural, curses are a byproduct of experiments with OAS magic, that's why you can't naturally be born with a curse. This means that Brey isn't some random kid, who the hell is he connected to?

Forget it, I'm going to get a headache if I think about it anymore. The biggest problem with this curse is [energy waste]. Dammit, everything uses energy. Energy can be viewed as the source of power within my novel. Everything is created with energy, there are multiple forms of energy but it is created from the same source and it's not limited by any sort of physics. When it comes to magic, each person has a different amount of energy waste; when someone casts a spell or incantation, some mana escapes, the more mana that escapes, the less talented you're considered, and that applies to aura as well.

Since it's a five-star curse, I can't get it removed from any temple unless the saintess herself has a look, but even then dealing with a five-star curse is expensive and might take years before the removal process is complete. Another problem is that I'm limited to four skills, which doesn't pose much of a threat, however, if I needed to replace a skill all of my pain receptors would turn on to maximum, just thinking about it gives me chills

As I delve deeper into the system, I realize that I currently have no quests or missions to undertake. It's a strange sensation, knowing that my actions will shape the world around me, but not knowing the exact rules of the system. I understand that quests and missions are related to the main story, but I'm unsure how to progress it. Do I have to take specific actions, or are the quests assigned randomly? The lack of clear answers from the system is frustrating.

I begin exploring the skill ranks, which are divided into four categories: common, rare, unique, and unranked. Common skills cost 600 points and are basic, with limited use in combat. However, their true value lies in combining them with other high-ranking skills. Rare skills require 1200 points and are not ideal for combat, but can prove useful in survival, development, and long-term use due to their cost-efficiency. Unique skills are the most interesting, as they vary widely in function and power. They possess evolution phases, meaning they can't be compared to other skills, and their effectiveness depends on the user. Acquiring a unique skill requires accumulating 6000 points, making it a significant investment. But it could be well worth it, given the uniqueness and power of such skills.

I also delve into the different types of physiques available to various classes. As a cursed individual, I am unable to change my physique, but it's still interesting to learn about them. Mages, for instance, can acquire physiques that improve their mana sensitivity or capacity, while swordsmen can gain physiques that improve their aura flow, body flexibility, bone refinement, and dense muscle.

While the information is something that I could purchase, the system's policy is vague and brief. For 300 points, I can obtain information from up to 50 years in the past. For 600 points, I can learn about the present and the near future. And for 1300 points, I can access information about events up to a week in the future. However, the system has strict guidelines on how I can request information, and it can be costly or even denied. Materials are another option for improving my abilities, but they are prohibitively expensive. The system offers a range of materials, from low- to high-ranking, but I am better off finding them on my own. Finally, the system has an option for me to slightly alter history, but I have no idea how it works or what the requirements are for using it. The system only states that I must meet the criteria, but it doesn't provide any further information.

"Now that I have the information I need, I need to prepare. Although I don't have any tasks, I do know where I can get a free gift," I smirk to myself. Not knowing my location, I painfully make my way toward an old lady who is passing by.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I'm a bit lost. Do you happen to know where I might find that old fountain that's falling apart?" I ask.

The granny, with an annoyed look, replies, "Kid, you're better off staying away from that place. Don't you know how filthy it is? There's bound to be a plague around there."

"Of course, I don't plan to go there, but I left my belongings near that place. Can you please just point the way?" I say with a pleading look.

"You poor beggar, leaving your belongings near that place was a bad idea. Anything left there is already contaminated," she says with a disapproving look.

"Please, ma'am, I left something very important there. I really need to get it back," I drop to my knees and plead.

"Ugh, you kids never learn. Well, it's not my problem. If you go two blocks down, turn right, then continue straight, you'll find the place, but please be careful. It's full of pests there," she says with a worried look.

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help," I say as I get up and start walking toward my destination.

It is a painful journey, and I quickly run out of breath. But I know I have to bear it. The further I walk, the filthier it gets. Of course, this is to be expected. There aren't many people around anymore, most believe that this place is cursed. The amount of trash, excrement, and rodents around here is insane. It takes me nearly an hour to get to the fountain with this damned body.

Just as I had described it, it is a place connected only by two small alleyways. There lies a large fountain with a statue of a young woman kneeling while holding a blade horizontally. The whole place is filthy with piles of trash and excrement everywhere. The stench is burning my lungs, and I have to hold back from throwing up. The fountain is falling apart, cracks surround it, and it is covered in stains and moss. There is no water, to be more precise, the water is now a black sludge that could probably kill someone. The statue at the center of the fountain is around two meters tall. On the statue itself, there isn't a single crack, but it is still covered in moss and stains.

I feel disgusted just being near this place, but I have to hold back my urge to leave. This is no ordinary statue. This is the statue of Ilka, the companion of one of the many heroes that have existed throughout history. The Great Demon War was a war created by humans, who thought of themselves as a superior race to the demons. During this war, the humans took 30% of the demon's territory within the first five years. However, things changed drastically when the great demons started making their move. Within a year, they took their territory back and started taking the human territory. Once the tables turned, there was chaos everywhere. The demons were out for revenge, that is until the next hero appeared.

The way that a hero gets their unique power is through believers. As more people believe in the hero, the stronger they become, and the more abilities they acquire. During the war, the hero and his companions are ambushed by a group of demons led by Aell. Unfortunately, the hero is hurt and can't fight at his full strength.

✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱

-In a mountain range near the tree of Junipra

The deafening sound of clashing swords and magic spells fills the air as the four warriors fight for their lives on the battlefield. Jackson, an expert archer, unleashes a barrage of arrows that take down dozens of enemies in a single second, his skill with a bow is unparalleled.

Ava, the group's mage, struggles to cast a spell amidst the chaos. Her movements are frantic, her hands shaking as she tries to harness her magic. "What's taking so long, Ava?" Jackson shouts over the sounds of battle, frustration clear in his voice.

"I'm trying, but these bastards are jamming my magic!" Ava shouts back, sweat dripping down her forehead as she continues to concentrate.

Meanwhile, Arthur, a magic swordsman, is locked in combat with Aell, a powerful enemy wielding a cursed sword. Although Arthur is a skilled fighter, he struggles to land any hits on Aell, who seems to effortlessly dodge every attack.

The battlefield is a mess, the once-beautiful mountain range now lies in ruins, the ground covered in rubble and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

As the battle rages on, I find myself in a one-on-one fight against a high-ranking demon, a fierce demon who is equally skilled in hand-to-hand combat. We trade blows, my fists meeting his kicks with equal ferocity. "What's your name, demon?" I ask, impressed by his fighting style.

"Huh? I was under the impression that humans detested demons, but my name is Baji!" he says as he proceeds to throw a combination of nine kicks.

"Huhuhu. I still hate demons, but I should remember your name as a fellow martial artist before I kill you." I gather my mana and aura simultaneously into my palm and, in an instant, push a hole right through Baji.

"Hahahahaha, you have a fusion skill Khoff Khak Khak, well played," are Baji's last words before dropping to the ground. I look back at Arthur, he is sweating, and his movements are slow. "He's reaching his limit," I murmur. I run at full speed, although my Aura reserve is low. I can't risk Arthur getting hurt here. He is already depleted of mana and has barely any aura left.

I make it to Arthur's side, but Aell is already there, his cursed sword aimed at Arthur's heart. "You're still a bit too weak, dear hero," Aell sneers. "I'm going to finish you off now."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," I growl, clenching my fists. "Arthur, get behind me."

Arthur nods weakly, stumbling back as I step forward to face Aell. The cursed sword glows with an eerie light, and I can feel its malevolent energy radiating off of it. I know I have to act fast.

I charge at Aell, my aura flaring up around me as I prepare to strike. But Aell is too quick, and he dodges my attacks with ease. I can see that his sword is draining my mana with each strike, and I know that I can't keep this up for much longer.

Arthur struggles to stand, his magic drained from the battle, but he manages to prop himself up against a rock, watching us with a fierce look in his eyes.

I know what I have to do. With one final burst of energy, I leap towards Aell, my fist charged with mana. He swings his sword at me, but I dodge it and land a powerful punch to his gut. Aell stumbles back, and I know I have him. But the cursed sword is still in his hand, as he falls, he thrusts the sword toward me. I feel a searing pain in my chest as the blade pierces through me. I fall to the ground, gasping for air as blood pours from the wound. "I'm taking you with me, you *****," Aell says before collapsing.

Arthur rushed to my side, tears streaming down his face. "No, don't die," he whimpered. "Please, don't die."

But it's too late. The wound is too deep, and I know that even if we make it to a temple, I won't be able to heal from this cursed injury. I don't have much time left. "Hahaha," I laugh, the sound raspy with blood.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" Arthur asked, his voice thick with grief.

Kneeling down and looking up at the sky, I said, "Hey, Arthur... Khoff Khak Khak... let my name be known far and wide... Khoff Khak Khak..."

Ava spoke up, her voice shaking with emotion. "Stop talking, the Saintess is on her way," she said.

I laughed weakly. "Hahaha... I never thought I'd see you with that face, Ava... Arthur, promise me I won't be forgotten... Khoff Khak Khak... I want to be remembered as the great Ilka... Khoff Khak Khak... bury me with this cursed sword... build a statue over my grave and have the people praise the great Ilka for her sacrifice... I don't want to be forgotten... Khoff Khak Khak... please..."